Chapter 2: 2005 (Present) Age 24 Pilot
"I don't think this is a good idea Dean." Charlotte looked around making sure no one was watching them.
Halfway through the kitchen window Dean only grunted in response. He finished hoisting himself through. A few seconds later Dean's face peered down at Charlotte.
"Just get up here."
Rolling her eyes Charlotte stuck her hand out. Dean reached out and grabbed her hand; he started pulling her up at the same time she grasped the window frame.
Sitting on the edge of the window Charlotte swung her legs through. She jumped off the ledge with her feet landing softly on the floor. Dean was already digging through the fridge as Charlotte straightened herself out.
"Why do you always climb through windows like that?"
"Because unlike you, I don't want to get caught with my head in a bad situation and my body hanging outside. Plus it's graceful." Dean rolled his eyes and emerged with a beer.
"You graceful? That's a good one.
Reaching over Charlotte snatched the beer from Dean's hand. She raised her hand cutting off his protest.
"Neither the time nor place Dean." Walking out of the kitchen Charlotte looked around the dark apartment. There was a small hallway that led to the bedroom.
"Hey look at this; he has a girlfriend." Charlotte turned around to see Dean holding up a small picture. It was too dark for her to see the couple in the picture.
Charlotte stepped forward and squealed as she tripped over something in the dark. She hit the ground with a thud.
Instantly the two heard movement; the door to the bedroom flew open. Dean motioned for Charlotte to stay down. He moved slowly around the room to stand by the doorway. From her angle Charlotte couldn't see what was happening but she could hear it.
There were sounds of yelling and grunting as the two men fought. Just when she was about to intervene Charlotte heard the fighting stop.
"Dean!?" The eldest Winchester smiled sheepishly at his brother.
"Hiya Sammy." Sam quickly let his brother up. Looking around his eyes landed on Charlotte; who was avoiding eye contact.
"Everything alright?" The three turned to see the woman Charlotte assumed was from the picture.
She was standing in the doorway wearing a tight tank and boy shorts. Charlotte could almost hear Dean drooling over her.
"Jessica this is Dean." The girl looked up at Sam in surprise.
"Your brother Dean?" Dean stepped forward with a big grin. He opened his mouth, no doubt, to say something inappropriate, but was stopped by an elbow form Charlotte.
"Behave." Dean gave her an innocent look keeping his mouth shut. Sticking her hand out Charlotte smiled kindly at the blonde in front of her.
"Its nice to meet you Jessica. I'm Charlie, I'm sure Sam's mentioned me."
"Actually no."
The smile fell from Charlotte's face. Letting her hand fall limply to her side she looked between Jessica and Sam. He hadn't told his girlfriend about her? Sam coughed trying to ease the tension.
"What are you two doing crashing around her anyway?"
"We didn't plan on crashing around. Someone thinks they're graceful when they're not." Dean nudged his head toward Charlotte. Scoffing she punched him in the arm.
"Screw you. I tripped."
"Regardless. Why are you two here?" Dean cleared his throat awkwardly. He glanced at Jessica.
"We need to talk alone." Wrapping his arm around Jessica Sam looked at his brother with a stubborn look.
"Whatever you have to say can be said in front of Jess." Charlotte looked at Jessica curiously.
Had Sam told his girlfriend about his old life? The blonde had a curious look in her eyes. She didn't know. There was no way. Dean shrugged his shoulders.
"Dad's went to in…"
"… He's on a hunting trip." Rolling his eyes Dean glared at Charlotte out of the corner of his eye; she was returning the look. Sam sighed and dropped his arm.
"You know how he is. Dad probably got caught up and forgot to call." Dean shook his head.
"He's been gone for four weeks."
"We need your help Sam." Looking between Dean and Charlotte Sam sighed in defeat.
After telling Jess he'd be right back Sam followed the duo to the impala. Sam listened to the voicemail John had left four weeks ago. He frowned after the recording ended.
"Did you hear that noise in the background?" Dean slapped his brother on the back.
"It's like riding a bike isn't it Sammy?" Charlotte pulled out a pile of papers from Jericho, California.
"John was investigating a bunch of disappearances in Jericho."
"If you know where he was last then why are you here?" Dean shut the trunk and looked at his brother.
"Because he's your dad too. We need your help tracking him down." Walking a few steps toward his apartment Sam ran a hand through his hair.
"I have an interview Monday." Charlotte and Dean exchanged glances.
"It's only Friday. Help us find John."
"Yea Sammy. We'll get you back in time for your interview."
"I have to walk to Jess. I'll be right back." As Sam walked back into his apartment Charlotte leaned against the impala.
"That was easier than expected."
"Maybe he misses the life more than he thinks he does." Shaking her head Charlotte rolled her head to look at Dean.
"Don't get your hopes up. We promised to bring him back."
"Anything can happen in two days Charlie."
Sam came back carrying a small duffle. He tossed it through the back window and was in the process of getting in the front seat.
"Oh I don't think so sasquatch. You don't get to come back and get front seat. Get in back." Sam stared at Charlotte with an incredulous look.
"Sasquatch? Really?"
"Yea. Now move." Pushing past him Charlotte slid into the front seat. Sam shot Dean a look but his brother only shrugged and climbed into the driver seat.
The drive was awkwardly silent for the first hour. Dean was listening to his music. Sam was looking between the two trying to start a conversation. Things hadn't ended well last time he saw the two.
Charlotte was looking at Sam through the mirror. His hair was a little longer but overall Sam looked the same. The same Sam she grew up with and the same Sam who'd said those terrible things.
Charlotte was curious about his new life. He had a girlfriend and a stable home. What else was new?
"What's your interview for?" Sam silently thanked Charlotte for finally breaking the silence.
"Law school."
"Look at that. My little brother on his way to being a hot shot lawyer." The three sighed as the tension finally broke. It was almost like before Sam left. Almost.
When they were almost to Jericho Dean pulled off claiming he needed to catch a little shut-eye. Sam and Dean made small talk while Charlotte cleaned up. After changing she pulled her long hair out of its ponytail.
Sam was skimming through a book when Charlotte exited the bathroom. He silently watched her fold her clothes. She kept glancing at Dean out of the corner of her eye as he finished a beer. Clearly not a lot had changed since he'd been gone.
Charlotte was putting her clothes in her duffle when Dean walked by. He smacked the pile out of her hand.
"Took you long enough in there."
"Dean!" Laughing Dean ran into the bathroom right as a shoe connected with the back of his head.
"Ouch! Charlie!"
"Serves you right!" Sam rolled his eyes; things definitely had not changed.
Charlotte turned around just in time to see Sam rolling his eyes. She pointed her other shoe at him.
"Watch it or you're next." He raised his hands in surrender trying to hide a smirk.
After fixing her clothes Charlotte crawled onto the other bed. Within minutes Charlotte was asleep soon followed by Sam.
-Darkness. That's all she saw. Charlotte felt around trying to gather her surroundings. There was a sharp metallic smell in the air; almost like blood. She stopped when her hand hit something wet.
The room was suddenly flooded with light. Shielding her eyes Charlotte tried looking around the room. A gasp left her lips.
It was red everywhere. Running down the walls. Dripping from the ceiling. With a horrified shriek Charlotte realized it was on her hands too. A body was curled in the corner. It moved at Charlotte's shriek.
"Mom?" Her mother's empty eyes looked back at her.
"You're special Charlotte. So special." Gasping Charlotte spun around…" –
Sam jerked awake at the sound of Charlotte whimpering. Dean was already sitting up trying to calm the sleeping girl next to him.
"Shh Charlie. It's just a dream." Pulling Charlotte into his arms Dean leaned against the headrest. "It's just a dream."
After a few minutes Charlotte curled closer to Dean; he sighed in relief. The dream must have ended. Sam watched Dean look down at Charlotte protectively.
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and tightened his grip. Maybe something had changed. Rolling on his side Sam closed his eyes.
When Charlotte woke up Sam and Dean were still sleeping. She was on her side facing the door; yawning Charlotte stretched the rest of her sleep away. Her movement caused Dean to groan in protest. He tightened his grip around Charlotte's waist and pulled her closer. Relaxing against his embrace Charlotte allowed herself to enjoy the warmth of Dean's body for a moment.
The memory of her nightmare brought a frown to Charlotte's face. She'd been having nightmares since she witnessed her parents murder by a fang. It was something Charlotte had come to expect.
However, recently things had begun to change. Instead of reliving the memory Charlotte would find herself somewhere she'd never been. An empty house or room not all that different than last nights dream. The only constants from the nightmares were her parents and a voice; she never got to see who was talking.
Stretching again Charlotte finally pulled herself out of Dean's arms. The warm feeling left and she fought to keep from climbing back in.
When Charlotte emerged from the bathroom she was dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and one of Dean's old ACDC shirts. Sam was sitting on the edge of his bed pulling on his shoes.
"Where's Dean?"
"Checking out."
Pulling on her boots Charlotte peered at Sam out of the corner of her eyes. The awkward tension from the night before had returned.
Charlotte thought about what they'd found at Stanford. In the four years he had been gone Sam hadn't wasted any time getting a normal life. He was going to law school and had a steady girlfriend.
A girlfriend, who Sam decided didn't need to know about Charlotte. It didn't make sense. Why hadn't he told Jessica about her? Was their friendship that terrible that Sam pretended it didn't exist?
"Sam?"
"Hmm?" Sam finished tying his shoe and turned to look at Charlotte.
She was giving him a strange look but before either could say anything Dean threw the door open. He was carrying a drink carrier and a slice of pie.
"They had pie in the lobby shop!"
Charlotte rolled her eyes at Dean and his obsession with pie. Grabbing her coffee and duffle she walked to the car. She could faintly hear Sam lecturing Dean about eating pie for breakfast.